Mercedes SUV to debut at Los Angeles Auto Show

If the world needs a 518-horsepower sport utility vehicle, Mercedes-Benz is ready to take orders for the 2012 ML63 AMG that goes on sale in the United States in February.

The Alabama-built SUV with a direct-injection bi-turbo V-8 engine is making its global debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show.

An M-Class with a conventional V-8 will also join the lineup in the new year.

The ML63 AMG is joined at the Mercedes display by some other exotic Mercedes models being shown in North America for the first time.

They include the 2012 SLS AMG Roadster with a retractable fabric top. The convertible has normally hinged doors as opposed to the gullwing doors on the SLS AMG coupe. The SLS AMG has a 6.3-liter V-8 that generates 563 horsepower.

A Black Series version of the C63 AMG — the most powerful C-Class in history with 510 horsepower — is also on display. The previous version only delivered 451 horsepower. The suspension and brakes have also been beefed up to handle this beast.